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Uisce Eireann Publish Shannon Pipeline Consultation Submissions Report

Friday, 24 October 2025 16:11

120 submissions have been made on the €6 billion project.

Uisce Eireann has released its public consultation submissions report for the Shannon Pipeline.

The Water Supply Project Eastern & Midlands Region project, will be one of the largest in the State's history, and is expected to cost at least six billion euro.

Over 120 submissions were made following a series of public consultation events across the country including in Birr and Tullamore.

76 of those submissions underlined concerns around the environmental impact of the plans, 62 question the need for the project in the first place, and another 52 proposed alternative solutions.

Uisce Eireann says it's taking  active steps to avoid or reduce potential environmental impacts through careful planning, efficient design, renewable energy usage all while protecting biodiversity.

To underline the need for the project the utility company is pointing to the fact that around 600 million litres of water are being lost to leakage on a daily basis.

While many submissions suggested desalination as an alternative to the pipeline entirely.

That option is being ruled out on the basis would only serve the greater Dublin area, it would cost more in the long term, and it uses 5 to 25 times more energy than conventional water treatment. 

Finally, the pipeline when fully operational won't serve Offaly or Westmeath but will may do so in the future.

Those potential connection points will be between the Booster Pumping Station and Termination Point Reservoir for Tullamore/Mountbolus Water Resource Zone and the Mullingar Regional Water Resource Zone. 

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